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There have been some shocking internet safety stories about how people, especially unsuspecting teens, have been subjected to cyber bullying, stalked, kidnapped, or harassed online. Parents should educate themselves on these dangers to better protect their children. Please don’t let this happen to you or any of your family.

If you are new to chat rooms, then you should read this page. Parents and their teens should get an education on the risks and rewards of online communication. Chatting online is usually a safe and fun form of communication, but chat sites have a dark side to them that can lead to instances of cyber bullying. I have been chatting for many years. There are a few things you need to watch for.

The problem with being online is that many chats are unmoderated, have very few rules, or are not good for reporting problems. Many people who use them are perfectly normal, but parents should still be aware of the potential risks for their teens.

However, some people are damaged individuals, who catfish people into relationships by faking profiles and pictures or sharing interests. It’s a form of grooming or Stockholm syndrome, where they convince you of their identity and slowly build your trust.

Some girls do this for attention, but guys do it too. Some people even pretend to be the opposite sex to convince others to send intimate videos or photographs, which is a form of cyber bullying.

While these people are doing it for a thrill, it’s also against the law. Sadly, the legal system is slow to catch up with these types of cyber crimes, as technology is moving faster than the legal system.

Many people may be unaware that this has occurred; they may have been in contact with someone who shared images, and the person has vanished, leaving the original user who sent the photos in the dark, which is similar to digital theft.

If you believe this is happening, please speak to a trusted family member or a friend about what is happening, as this is how scams take place or, basically, people just waste your time,

It is very difficult to offer a safe chat room, as it’s impossible to monitor all the conversations people have online. Parents and educators need to instill in teens the importance of reporting any instances of bullying or inappropriate content.

I honestly believe this happens to everyone and anyone online at some point. It’s just the case that many people, and especially uninformed teens, don’t figure out the dangers until they think about it sometime later.

Here are some tips and information on how to stay safe online, which is an essential part of any parent’s education.

Chat rooms in reality can sometimes reveal startling truths. The reality of chat rooms can hit hard, especially when it comes to cyberbullying.

chat rooms in reality.
 Sometimes the reality of chat rooms hits you.

Are chat rooms secure?

The chatroom itself is secure. We use a secure server to prevent people from getting access to people’s information. It has more to do with the people in the chat rooms.

Previously, most people used desktop computers, but it has changed how people use their mobile phones or smart devices to access chatrooms, which parents need to factor in while educating their teens about safe internet use.

Sadly, chat rooms have been targeted by predators and paedophiles, which is one reason we don’t allow kids on World of Chat. Children need to be protected on the internet, either by their parents’ supervision or by some kind of software to restrict their access.

They are great places to meet friends, have conversations, and even exchange adult messages. However, it’s important that people use their common sense and stick to adult chat rooms if they are indeed adults,

We have some chat room safety tips and some of the problems you may encounter online below. Remember, as parents, educating yourself and your teens about these risks is a vital step in warding off potential online danger.

Avoid being taken to other websites or apps

While navigating the intricate world of online interactions, it’s prudent to be cautious. Try to avoid giving out your telephone number to unfamiliar individuals. Employing a modicum of awareness and knowledge, refrain from adding them to social media where someone can gather your full name. The same goes for giving out an email, or using nonspecific usernames, like Snapchat. This diligent approach can help shield you from potential harm.

Most scams occur when someone attempts to isolate users from others. The collective guidance and support offered by your social circle can help alert you to any scam or catfishing that may be happening. This is why it’s essential to stay connected.

What should you avoid doing in the chat room?

Knowledge is power, therefore, don’t believe everything you are told. People will share all sorts of disturbing stories in a bid to manipulate you into doing things for them. Maintaining a level of scepticism can help protect you from such situations.

– Always remember, never send money to someone you’ve never met. Those guided by this knowledge are in a better place to safeguard their financial assets.

– Often, people will feign familiarity to form a false bond with you. They might claim they know you, where you live, or what town you are in. Increased awareness of such strategies can lend you an advantage.

– Individuals often lie about their age and sex in an attempt to deceive others. Supportive guidelines advocate for an increased awareness of this common misinformation.

Some people may not be who they say they are. It’s all too easy to create fictitious identities online. Whatever someone says, don’t take it at face value. With the aim of providing further guidance, we have created a list of the many different types of chatters out there. Click here to check it out, and see if any of the people you chat with are on this list.

You can avoid these deceivers by taking your time to get to know them. Strong friendships can indeed be formed in chat rooms, but as in life, this requires time, and a level of guidance and support.

If you do give any information, make it an email address. Make sure this email address doesn’t contain your name. For example, if your email address is [email protected], it’s a good idea to change your email settings so it doesn’t give your full name to someone when you email them.

It’s crucial never to exchange your phone number in a chat room, as it’s unsafe to share your phone number on the net, especially your home number. Your personal information like location, school, or workplace should also be held in strict confidence for obvious reasons.

– Never meet people on the internet. Meeting complete strangers is dangerous and this stern advice is for your own safety.

– However, if you do arrange to meet someone you have connected with on the internet, please do not do so within 6 months of getting to know them. Inform someone of your plans to boost the support and awareness around your whereabouts.

Watch out for chat room scams and find out more about chat scams here.

If you feel threatened by anyone in the chat room, you should inform a host or admin. If they are not around, then you should leave the chat room and come back later. Make a note of the person’s nickname so you can inform the admin or a host later.

Do not be afraid to contact the police if you believe an offense has been committed online.

If you want to learn more about our chat ethos or our chatroom etiquette, please check out these links, also we have an article about chatroom lingo here you can also read more about the future of chat rooms here.

Other chat rooms and online safety resources and links.

Because we are based in the United Kingdom, you may need to Google for assistance, such as the United States reporting online abuse.

More info on Child safety www.childnet.com 

General safety advice www.saferinternet.org.uk

Personality trails of people in chat rooms

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE SECURITY GUIDE This guide provides support and extensive guidance to help maintain online safety.